Fruit picking tool



April 16, 935. 1 H, BOT-rs FRUIT PICKING TOOL Filed Nov. 3, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet l SYM/:aim m mhwwwmmym prf M, i935. L. H.` BOTTS FRUIT PICKING TOOL Filed Nov. 5, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 L. H. BOTTS FRUIT PICKING TOOL Filed NOV. 5, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 L.. H. BOTTS FRUIT PICKING TOOL Filed NOV. 5, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Apr. 1,6, 1935 y I 1,997,851

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEA FRUIT PICKING Tool.

Laurance H. Botts', De Land, Fla.,r y Application November s, 193s,-sera11\o. 696,496

' 25 claims." (on :ac-gi)- This invention relates to certain new and usethe practical application of the principles thereful improvements in fruit picking tools or clipof, and'in which: pers and has .as a general object to provide a con- Figure 1 'is a perspective view of a fruit picking venient, practical, and easily manipulated device tool'embodyingone form of this invention; for this purpose. y FigureZ is aside view thereof with parts broken 15 Another object of this invention is to provide away and insection; l a tool of the character described which is so con- Fig-ure 3 is' a longitudinalsection view through structed as to preclude injury to the fruit while Fig'. 2 on the plane of the line 3-3; at the same time permitting its stem to Abe cut Figure 4 is a cross section view taken through 1o directly adjacent Athe fruit. Fig. 2 on the plane of the line 4 4; f 10 Another object is to provide a tool ofthe char- Figure 5 is a cross section view taken through acter described wherein the cutting knife is pro- Fig. 2 on the plane ofthe line 5 5; tected against contact with the fruit. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the stationary It is also an object of this invention to provide elements of the tool other than the outer casing,r 1'5V a tool for picking fruit and particularly oranges shown separated and in their proper order of as- 15 and other citrous fruits wherein the stem must be sembly; l severed close to the fruit infwhich means are Figure '1 is la perspective view similar to Fig. 6 provided for guiding the application ofthe tool of the rotatable elements of the tool; onto the stern. Figure 8 is a detail view illustrating the forma- A further object of this invention is to provide tion of the stationary cutter section; f 20. a tool of the character described,A which may be vFigure-9 is a detail View illustrating the cutter held and manipulated entirely by one hand end of the tool -modied to embody means for A further object of this invention is to provide holding the fruit stema fruit picking tool of the character described in Figure l0 is a cross 'section View in perspective which the cutting elements are in the form of of the construction illustrated in Fig. 9, and taken 25,

telescoped relatively rotatable members. on the plane of thelineIG-i U of Fig. 9, with the Another object of this invention is to provide a parts in their 'open inactive positions; tool of the character described wherein actuation Figure l1 isa direct section view through Fig. 9, of the rotatable cutting elements is effected by also on -the plane'of the line'Ill-l, but illustrat- 301 the compression of two handle members. ing 4the parts in their positions during the actual 30v Another object of this invention is to provide cutting operation;A a fruit picking tool having readily detachable cutv'Figure l2 is a side View of a` slightly modified ter sections. l embodiment; and

A further object of this invention is to provide Figure V13 is an enlarged section-view taken means carried by the cutter section of the tool through Fig. 12-onthe plane of the line l3-|3. 3s

for supporting the fruit by its stem after it has Referring no W more particularly to the accombeen cut, thus making it possible to pick grapes panying drawingsin which like numerals indiand other long stemmed fruit with but one hand. cate like parts vthroughout the several views, the And. a still further object of this invention is to numeral 5 designates al tubular housing in which 4.0l provide a fruit picking device of the character a pair of cooperatingtelescopedcuter and inner 40 described, in which the actuating elements are members 6 and 1, respectively, are mounted to encased in a housing containing a lubricant. project from one end of the housing.

With the above .and other objects in view which The outer member 6, which is stationary with will appear as the description proceeds, my in.- respect' to the housing', has its'outer end biiurvention resides'inthe novel construction, combicated to provide a stem slot 8 engageable over a 45 nation and arrangement of parts substantially as fruit stem to be severed. The inner member 1 hereinafter described and more particularly deis rotatable in the member 6 and has a knife part fined by theappended claims, it being understood 9 on its outer end to cooperate with one edge of that such changes in the precise embodiment of the slot 8 to cut' the' stem upon rotation of the j the hereindisclosed invention may be made as inner member 1. Rotation of the inner member 50 ycome within the scope of the claims. 'I is effected by depressing a handle I0 toward the in the accompanying drawings, I have illushousing 5, the handlelll having a part H protrated several complete examples of the .physical jecting into the housing to actuate mechanism embodiment ofmy invention constructed accordto ybe hereinafter described and impart the deing `to the best modes, I have so fardevised for sired rotation to the innermember 1.

The handle IU is of such size and is so located with respect to the housing 5 as to enable an operator to grasp both the handle and the housing in one hand so that a natural closing of the hand actuates the device to effect the desired cutting action. The tool illustrated is designed for 0peration with the right hand although the cutting elements may be readily reversed to permit left handed operation, as will be hereinafter more fully described.

To facilitate manipulation of the tool, a strap i2 is attached to the handle I0, Which permits the device to be strapped to the iingers of the prises a mounting section I6 and a cutter or knifev section I 'I. The inner rotatable member I is also sectional, having a driving section I8 and a cutter or knife section I9.

The mounting section I6 of the outer member l is in 'the form of a cylinder of suicient length to have its inner end disposed Within the hood or cap I5 and its outer end projected beyond the collar I4. The medial portion of the cylinder I6 has an opening 28 cut into its side. This opening is centered with respect to the lengthof the cylinder I3 which forms the body of the housing, and is aligned with the handle part II.

The cylinder I3 has a rectangular opening 2l provided with an upstanding flange 22 entirely encircling the perimeter of the opening, and the handle part I I is slidably received in the flanged opening to be connected, in a manner hereinafter described, with the driving section I8 of the rotatable member 'I. n

A flat Wall 23 projects tangentially from one edge of the opening 20. Preferably, the Wall 23 is formed by the metal cut from the cylinder in forming the opening 28, although if desired, a separate piece maybe welded to the cylinder. The outer end of the wall 23 is reduced in Width asA at 2li and projects through a slot 25 in the cylinder i3 alongside one of the anges 22. To enable assembly of the section I6 With the housing,

the 4distance from the outermost extremity of the end 24 to the opposite portion of the cylinder per se, is less than-the internal diameter of the cyl-` inder i3 so that the section I6 may be inserted into the cylinder I3. Obviously, during this insertion, the collar I4 is detached from the cylinder I3 and likewise the cap I5 is removed.

After the end 24 ofthe wall 23 is projected through the opening 25, the collar I4 is attached to the cylinder I3 so as to hold the wall part 24 against dislodgment from its opening 25. A washer 28 disposed` over the inner end of the cylindrical section I5 and engaging the inner Wall of the cylinder I3, cooperates with the collar I4 to maintain the section I6 properly positioned in the housing.

For a purpose to be hereinafter described, the washer 25 is secured against rotation about the mounting section I6 by the engagement of a lug 2l' on the Washer with a slot 28 in the inner end of the section I6.

vthe sections against relative rotation, and a nut 3E threadedly engaged with both sections retains the same against longitudinal separation. In this manner, the cutter section I'I is readily detachable from its mounting section I6 and is also readily reversible to enable the tool to be adapted for both right and left handed operation.

Referring now specically to the inner rotatable member 1, the driving section I8 thereof is freely rotatably mounted Within the cylinder I6. A medial portion of this driving section I8, which is in the form of a sleeve, has an opening 33 cut into its side in alignment with the opening 20 in the cylinder IB. Disposed Within the sleeve I8 at opposite ends of its opening 33 are rings 34 to which loops 35 are secured. The loops 35 are received in recesses 38 cut into the sleeve I8 from the ends of the opening 33 so that the rings 34 are held against rotation in the sleeve with their loops 35 axially aligned.

A pin 35 passed through the loops 35 pivotally connects one end of a link 3'I eccentrically to thesleeve. The link 3l is of a width substantially equal to the ydistance between the inner faces ofA the loops so that the rings 34 carrying the loops are held against dislodgement from the sleeve. The outer end of the link 3`I is pivotally connected, as at 38, to the inner end of the handle member I I. As best seen in Fig. 5, the connection of the sleeve I8 with the handle member II byA means of the link 3l, causes the sleeve to be rotated upon depression lof the handle.

Rotation imparted to the sleeve I8 by depression of the handle is yieldably resisted by a coiledv spring 39 encircling the inner end of the cylinder I6. One end 48 of the coiled spring is extended diametrically across its diameter to be engaged in recesses 4I formed in diametrically opposite portions of the inner end of the cylinder I8. Theother end 42 of the spring 39 is directed laterally tolie parallel to the axis of the spring and is engaged in one of a plurality of holes 43 in the washer 28. Inasmuch as the washer is held against rotation. The selection of the hole 43 into which the spring end 42 is inserted determines the active tension of the spring.

The spring is so wound as to yieldably tend to turn the sleeve I8 in a counterclockwise direction with respect to Fig. 5; and to limit the rotation of the sleeve I 8 by the spring, a pair of stop screws 44 are provided. These screws are threaded in ears 45 extended from the sides of the wall 23 and bent at an angle to the Wall 23 so that the screws may lie entirely within the housing. The inner ends of the adjustable stop screws are positioned to abut the loops 35 and thus limit the rotation of the sleeve I8 efected by the spring 39. The opposite rotation of the sleeve I8 brought about by depression of the handle II), is limited by the `engagement of the loops 35 With the edge 46 of the opening 28.

The outer end of the sleeve I8 is projected slightly from the adjacent end of the cylinder I6 and is detachably coupled to the cutter section I9. The coupling of the sections I8 and I9 is effected by the engagement of diametrically opposite dovetailed lugs 4l projected from the cutter section IS, in correspondingly shaped and located recesses d3 in the section i8.

Inaslnuch as the external diameter ofthe sec# tions I8 and i9 is vsuchas to be snugly received Withinthe sections it: and Il 'of the outer member dislodgment of the lugs 47 from-therecesses is prevented. l f

Like the sectionV Il, the cutter sectionllQ by reasonof its readily ldetachable coupling to? the section i8, may be reversed to enable left handed operation of thetool.` v y Fromthe description thus far, it is apparent that upon depression of`v the handle I0 toward the housing 5, the inner 'member l will be rotated with respect to the outer-member 6 so as to effect the desired cutting action between the knife part 9 and one edge of the's'tem slot 8. f

Inasmucn as all precautions must be taken to avoid bruising the fruit inany way during the picking, the bifurcated end of the outer member E is of the novel shape and construction shown;r

The two arms or branches which dei-lnethe slot 8, flare outwardly to guide the stem of the fruit into its proper position and have theirl edges and ends nicely rounded to avoid sharp' corners whichV might' bruise the skin of the fruit.

-The back of the stationary cutter section II is ground away as at (see Fig. B) so that-the edges 5i of the slot il, at least at their inner eX- tremities, have knife edges. These edges, however, are not exposed where they might injure the fruit. y l

IG, which cooperates with one of the edges 5l to effect the cutting action, in the normalopen position ofthe parts, yis valigned witnone of the arms lltlto be substantially covered thereby and protected against Contact with thefruit.

It is lso observed that the outer end of the knife part 9 curves outwardly. This permits the stem slot to be adjusted to a reduced Width. The desired adjustment is effected by means of the stop screws'd which limit the return of the rotatable lmember? bythe spring 39. The curved outer end of the knife part S enables the stem to be passed smoothly into the slot, and bypermitting this adjustment, the manipulation of the tool in pickingvfruit with small stems is rmaterially facilitated. v l

By reducing the width of the stem slot, a

shorter compressionstroke is obtained and in the case of some fruit,as`, for instance, tangerines, the narrow slotrpreventsl clipper cuts, as this fruit is often rather Warty and grows with a short neck at its .point of rattachment to the stem.

v In some instances, as where long stemmed fruit is being picked, it may be desirable to provide means for gripping and holding the stem during and after the cutting operation so that grapes and other longA stemmed fruit maybe picked with but one hand, and where this feature is desired, the construction of the cutting units is modified aslillustrated in Figures 9, 10 and ll. In this embodiment, the outer ,stationaryv cutter member 52 has two longitudinal slots 53 and 5d extending inwardly from its outer end to form arms and The extremities of the arms are flared'outwardly and have their edges rounded to guide the fruit stems into the slots 53 and 54.

The sides of the slot 5!! Aform knife edges with which the knife edge 5l of the inner rotatable member 58 cooperates toeffect the cutting action.

- Car edfby the inner member 53 is a coiled spring 59. "The spring 5S is received within the bore of the member 58 `and has one end 60 di- The knife part 9 of the rotatable cutter sectionr rected backwardly across the outer diameter of the coils tobe received inalongitudinal slot lil in the member 53. The open end ofthe slot tf terminatesat the shoulder .652 `which is formed by cutting the outer end of the' member i8 down to provide the .knife section, the shoulder CS2 being substantially in the same plane as the inner end of the slot 53.

A transverse notch E3 communicates with the slot El adjacent its outerend to receivethe laterally directed extremity G4 of the spring end Gil. Consequently, when the spring is'dispose'd within the'member 58 with its end t@ engaged in slot 6| vand its extremity B4 engaging in recess 63, the

spring 59 will be held assembled withfthel rotatable member E. The opposite end of the spring is directed longitudinallyto normally lie adjacent the edge 66 of the slot 53.' n this position, the spring end doesnot interfere with the vdisposition of the stern in the slots 53 and Elli.

. However, as the member 5d is rotated to effect the desired cutting action, the spring 59 is also moved so that its end B5 engages the stem and clamps the same between Yit and the other edge 67 of the slot 53 to hold the same as illustrated in Fig. il. Because of the resiliency of the spring 5S, its end 65 will .move a sufficient distance to afford a secure gripping action and thereafter will remain stationary while the member 53 con tinues its rotation to complete the cutting action.

To preclude the stem slipping from between the edge 6'? and the spring end 65, the'outer end of the edge has a hook E3. l

The principlev of operation embodying the use of two telescoped members afforded at their outer ends with knife sections, is readily susceptible todiierent constructions,v and in Figs. l2 and 13, another embodiment of `the inventive concept is illustrated.

The construction shown in Figs. 1:2 and 13 ern-- bodies outer andinner telescoped members lll and H respectively, Theouter ends of these members have cooperating knife elements as in the embodiment shown and described, but the manner of` eifectingthe necessary relative rotaa tion ofthe two members is altered. In this construction, two diverging compressible handles E2 are provided.' These handles are connected to the telescoped membersby springs l'3. The springs 13 are of special construction and have coiled sections klli received in the inner ends of the handles which are channel shaped in cross sec tion, and have one end i5 projecting inwardly of the handles to lbe detachably engaged in pockets 'It formed ina mounting collar ll. The collar 71 is loosely engaged over the outer telescoped member ll). l f

Tohold the handles l2 to the springs, the outer coil of each spring is preferably engaged over and around the handle as illustrated. rPhe outer ends ofthe springs are continued to lie Within the channels of the handles and at a distance from their coiled Vportions -M are directed laterally as at 18. At the extremities of the lateral portions 78,l the spring ends have knobs 'i9 which are re ceived in pockets Si) and Si.

The pocket Sil forms part of a driving unit d2 non-rotatably connected to the outer member 10 while the pocket 8i forms part of a driving unit 83 nonrotatably connected to the inner member ll. Like the members 'i9 and li, their respective driving units 82 and 83 are telescoped. The driving unit t2v which is outermost is attached to the member 7! and by means of a nut 84 similar to the connection employed in the modification shown in Fig. 1, whereas the inner unit 83 is attached to the inner member 1| by an externally threaded plug 85 threadedly engaged with the unit 83 and the inner member 1 I.

inasmuch as the enlargements 19 are permanently engaged in their respective pockets, the handles will be retained assembled with the tubular members although the collar 11 is loose on the outer member 10.

From Fig. 13, it will be apparent that compression of the handle members 12 toward each other causes the telescoped members to rotate and effect the desired cutting action. A screw 8B threaded in the inner telescoped member 1I and operating in a slot 81 in the outer member defines the limits of rotation and retains the telescoped members against relative longitudinal shifting.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains that this invention affords a novel tool for picking oranges and similar fruit, which is of relatively simple, sturdy construction and easily manipulated. It is also apparent that replacement of worn parts which are practically limited to the two hinge pins connecting the handle member with the rotatable inner member, may be readily effected, and that in View of the ready detachability of the knife sections, sharpening and replacement of these elements is an easy matter.

What I claim as my invention is:

l. A. readily portable fruit picking tool adapted to be held and operated by one hand, comprising complementary inner and outer telescoped members relatively rotatable about their common axis, the outer member having a bifurcated end with the spaced arms formed thereby flared and rounded to guide a fruit stem into the space between the arms While insuring against possible bruising of the fruit, knife means on the inner member adapted to cooperate with one edge of one of said arms to sever the fruit stem upon relative rotation of said complementary members, and compressible handle means operable to effect rotation of said members.

2. A readily portable fruit picking tool adapted to be held and operated by one hand comprising, a pair of telescoped tubes mounted for relative rotation, the outer tube having a bifurcated end to receive a fruit stem, a cutting blade on the inner tube to cooperate With one edge of the bifurcation to sever the fruit stem upon relative rotation of the tubes, and compressible handle means operable to effect such relative rotation of said tubes.

3.. A tool of the character described comprising, a pair of complementary telescoped members relatively rotatable about their common axis, the outer member having a bifurcated end with the spaced arms formed thereby flared and rounded to guide a fruit stem into the space between the arms while insuring against possible bruising of the fruit, knife means on the inner member to cooperate with one edge of one of the arms to sever the fruit stem upon relative rotation of said telescoped members, yieldable means to normally maintain the members in inoperative positions of relative rotation, and compressible handle means operable against the force of the yieldable means to effect relative rotation of said complementary members. l

4. In a tool of thecharacter described, a pair of complementary telescoped members relatively rotatable about their common axis, knife edges on said members cooperable in a cutting action upon relative rotation of the members, means to effect relative rotation of said members, and one of said members comprising a knife section and a driving section detachably connected, whereby f the knife section is readily removable for replacement and sharpening purposes. 1

5. In'a tool of the character described, a pair of telescoped relatively rotatable members, each of said members comprising, a cutter section and a mounting section, means to readily detachably connect the cutter sections of said members with their respective mounting sections whereby said cutting sections are readily removable, cooperating means on the cutting sections operable upon relative rotation thereof to have a cutting action, and means to effect relative rotation of said mounting sections.

6. A fruit picking tool of the character described comprising, a pair of telescoped relatively rotatable members, each of said members comprising a mounting section and a cutter section, cooperating means on the cutter section operable upon relative rotation thereof to have a cutting action, means to'efect relative rotation of the mounting sections, and means to readily detachably connect the cutter sections to their respective mounting sections, including a member telescoped over the juncture of the outer cutter section and its mounting section.

7. A tool of the character described, comprising a pair of telescoped members, the outer member having a bifurcated end with a cutting edge on one of the arms formed thereby, a Acutting blade on the inner member operable upon relative rotation of the telescoped members to coact with said cutting edge in a cutting action, a compressible handle to effect relative rotation of said members, and spring means operable in opposition to the compression of the handle to return the handle and said members to their normal positions.

8. In a tool of the character described, a pair of telescoped relatively rotatable members, cooperating means on said members operable upon relative rotation thereof to have a cutting action, a casing surrounding a portion of said telescoped members to afford` a handle grip, a compressible member movable into the casing, and means operable upon movement of said compressible member into the casing to effect relative rotation of said telescoped members.

9. In a tool of the character described, a pair of telescoped relatively rotatable members, cooperating means on said members operable upon relative rotation thereof to have a cutting action, a casing surrounding a portion of said telescoped members to afford a handle grip, a compressible member movable into the casing, means operable upon movement of said compressible member into the vcasing to effect relative rotation of said telescoped members, and a spring Within the casing to return said compressible member and the telescoped members to their normal positions.

l0. A tool of the character described, comprisingy a pair of telescoped members, one of Which is rotatable about their common cooperating means on said members operable upon rotation of said member to have a cutting action, a casing partially enclosing said telescoped members and affording a grip, a handle depressible toward the side of said casing, and means operable to transmit rotation to said rotatable member upon depression of said handle.

11.' A tool for picking fruit and the like adapted to be heldv and operated by one hand, comprising a tubular housing, a'h'andle depressible sidewise toward the tubular housing said tubular housing and handle being of asize tobe gripped in the hand so that closing of the hand depresses said handle, cooperating members mounted in said tubular housing withmaportion projecting therefrom, one of said members being movable with respect to the other, means to impart' movement to said member upon-depression of the handlemember, and means on said cooperating members operable upon movement of ysaid one bular housing, one ofsaid members being rotatable with respect to the other, means to rotate said member upon depression of the handle, and

cutter means carried by said telescoped members' and operable upon rotation of the rotatable member to have a cutting action,v suitable for severing fruit stems and the like.

13. A toolfor picking fruit and the like, comprising a tubular housing, a handle projecting from the side of the housing and having a part depressible thereinto, a tubular element stationary with respect to the housing and` having a part projecting from the housing, a rotatable element disposed within the tubular velement with a portion positioned within the housing and a part projecting therefrom, means within the housing connecting the depressible handle part and the rotatable element so that depression of the handle effects rotation of said rotatable element, and cutter means at the outer end portions of the rotatable element and stationary tubular element operable to sever fruit stems and the like upon rotation of said rotatable element.

14. In a tool of the character described, a tubular housing, a handle depressible sidewise toward the housing, a tubular extension carried by the housing and having means at its outer end for engagement with a stem to be severed,

ward the housing, a tubular extension carried by the housing and having means at its outer end for engagement with a stem to be severed, a rotatable member in said tubular extension having its inner end portion disposed within the housing and means on its outer end portion to cooperate with the stem engaging means of the tubular extension to sever a stem upon rotation of said tubular member, a link connected to the depressi.- ble handle and eccentrically pivoted to the tubular member, whereby depression of said handle rotates the rotatable member, and a spring conmected with the rotatable member and the tubular extension to yieldably maintain the same in a predetermined position.

16.` In a tool of the character described, a tubular housing, -a handle'having a part depressible sidewise into the housing, a cylinder positioned in the housing and having an opening in its side in line with the depressible handle part, a Wall section carried by the cylinder adjacent said opening andv engaging the housing to hold the cylinder assembled. therewith, means carried by thecylinder and projecting beyond the housing to engage a stem to be severech a rotata-ble member disposedinthe cylinder, knife means onthe` rotatable member cooperable with the stemengagingmeans of they cylinder to sever a stem upon rotation ofv said-rotatable member,

anda link eccentrically pivoted to the rotatable member and projected throughthe .opening in the cylinderfor engagement with the depressible handle part, whereby depression of the handle rotates the rotatable member. l f

L1'7. In a tool ofthe character described, a tubular housing, a handle having apart depressible sidewise into the housing, a cylinder positioned in the housing and having an opening in its side in line with the depressible handle part, a wall section carried' by the cylinder adjacent said opening and engagingv Athe housing to hold the cylinder assembled therewith, means carried by the cylinder and projecting beyond the housing to engage astem tov be severed, a

rotatable membery disposed in the cylinder, knife means on the rotatable member cooperable with the stem engaging means of the cylinder to sever a stem upon rotation ofsaid rotatable member, a link eccentrically pivoted to the rotatable member and projected through the opening in the cylinder .for engagement withl the depressible handle part, whereby depression ofthe handle rotates the rotatable member, a spring having one end connected to the rotatable member and its other end supported from the cylinderl to yieldably oppose rotation of the rotatable member and yieldably urge the same to a predetermined position, and means on the wall section carried by the cylinder to define the position of rotation to which the rotatable member is moved by the spring.

18. In a tool of the character described, a housing, a handle having a part depressible sidewiseinto the housing, said housingI and handle being of such size as to enable the same to be held in one hand so that closing `of the hand depresses the handle, cooperating cutting members carried by the housing and having means operable to sever fruit stems and the like upon relative movement of said cooperating cutting members, mechanism within the housing to effect relative movement of said cutting members upon depression of the handle, and a removable cover for the housing to enable packing of the housing interior with lubricant.

19. In a tool of the character described, a tubular member comprising a mounting section :and a cutting section, the cutting section having means to engage a stem to be out, and means readily detachably connecting the cutting section and mounting section comprising a lug projecting 'from one section and engageable in a recess in the other section, and an element telescoped over both sections.

20. In a tool of the character described, a rotatable member comprising, a driving section and a cutting section, said cutting section having a knife, means to drivingly and readily detachably connect said sections comprising, a dovetailed lug projecting from one section and engaging in a correspondingly shaped recess formed in the other section whereby the sections are secured against relative rotation and also against relative axial separation, and an outer sleeve telescoped over the rotatable sections to retain the saine connected, said outer sleeve having means cooperating with the knife on the rotatable cutting section to sever fruit stems and the like.

21. A tool of the character described, comprising cooperating telescoped members having means adapted to co-act and sever a fruit stem or the like upon relative rotation of said members, and means to support and actuate said telescoped members comprising, a pair of diverging handles, spring means connecting the inner ends of said handles with the telescoped members and yieldably maintaining them separated, and means carried by the handles and eccentrically connected with the telescoped members to effect relative rotation thereof upon movement of the handles together.

22. A tool of the character described comprising, a pair of telescoped relatively rotatable members, knife means on said members adapted to co-act to afford a cutting action, a pair of spaced handles, spring means to mount each handle from the telescoped members and yieldably maintain the handles apart, and extensions on said spring means each eccentrically connected with one of said telescoped members whereby compression of the handles effects relative rotation of said members.

23. In a tool of the character described including relatively rotatable telescoped cutting members, cooperating means on said members operable upon relative rotation thereof to sever fruit stems and the like, and means carried by one of'said members to engage a fruit stem to be severed between the fruit and the place of severance, and to yieldably hold the same during and after the cutting thereof.

24. In a tool of the character described including a pair of telescoped relatively rotatable members, one ofsaid members having a slot engageabl'e with a fruit stem or the like to be severed, a knife on the other member cooperable with one edge of the slot to sever the stem, and a holding member movable with said member having the knife to clamp the stem between it and a part of during and after the cutting thereof.

25. In a tool for picking fruit, a pair of complementary telescoped members 'relatively rotatable about their common axis, one of said members having a bifurcated end, the arms of which each have a cutting edge and a non-cutting edge and being so located with respect to each other that the cutting edges which are adjacent lie closer together than the non-cutting edges so as to preclude contact of the fruit stem with the non-cutting edges and also afford a space through ywhich the cutting edges are visible when the tool is in use, and said arms being so shaped as to enable engagement of the cutting edges of the bifurcated end with the stem of the fruit directly adjacent the fruit without danger of bruising the same, a'cutting blade on the other of said telescoped members normally covered by one of said arms and operable upon relative rotation of said members to coact with one of the cutting edges of the bifurcated end in a cutting action, and means to effect relative rotation of said members.

LAURANCE H. BoTTs.

lsaid first mentioned member to hold the stem I 

